Prison Overpopulation Essay

Prison overpopulation is the issue where the number of incarcerated people exceeds the intended capacity of the facility. This is an emerging issue in the United States, where the prison population has increased significantly in decades due to a variety of factors, such as mandatory minimum sentencing laws and the war on drugs. This larger size of people can create various problems for the dwellers and staff of the prison. Although some may claim that prison is supposed to feel uncomfortable and that it is a waste of money to improve it, seem to forget that overpopulation is a major contributor to poor healthcare and violence.

Prison overpopulation can lead to many health risks such as poor sanitation and mental health issues. Most overcrowded

For example, back during the coronavirus pandemic, Texas prisons were notorious for their plumbing issues. This water shortage prevented inmates from washing their hands at a time of high vulnerability due to the coronavirus pandemic. What makes it worse is the overcrowding issue which allowed disease to spread more easily among the sinks, showers, and most importantly, the toilets. Additionally, their proximity to one another can help aid the bacteria to spread throughout the prison, harming both inmates and correctional officers. The absence of proper sanitation combined with the lack of nutrition and lowered use of medication can result in a very bad situation for its dwellers. Similarly, mental health matters just as much as the physical health of inmates. One case associated with mental trauma would be that of Karl Taylor. Karl Taylor received a sentence of 55 years and spent a total of 10 years in solitary confinement for failing to follow the rules. However, this finally ended after a fight with correctional officers for refusing to clean his

Generally, an overpopulated environment can exacerbate preexisting tendencies of violence towards other inmates. An example is The Coffield Unit in Anderson County, Texas which was designed to hold 4,000 inmates but has held more than 8,000 in the past. Going over a prison’s intended carrying capacity can lead to a lack of resources along with limited space which can create a hostile and tense environment, where minor incidents can quickly escalate into violent altercations. Furthermore, the inadequate staffing and resources can result in a failure of order and discipline within the prison, leading to a decrease in overall safety. Another problem is the topic of prison gangs which is a major cause for violent occurrences. La Eme is a large contributor of violence in American prisons. As a prison gang, their main intent is assaulting other inmate groups and staff. Moreover, overpopulation can make it more difficult for correctional officers to monitor and control gang activity; creating an unfavorable environment. Furthermore, limited resources such as counselors can result in inadequate rehabilitation and educational programs, making it easier for prisoners to fall under the influence of gangs and participate in violent activities. Ultimately, violence is increased due to overcrowding because of inmates’ preexisting conditions and the ever-growing presence of